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A tape head cleaner is a substance used for cleaning the record/playback heads of a magnetic tape drive (such as in a video tape machine, or audio tape machine).
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Head cleaning
Audio and video tape players (ie. cassette players, VCRs) require regular maintenance to perform properly. Particles that come off the magnetic tape (ie. compact cassette, videocassette) can build up on the magnetic record/playback heads, reducing the signal quality. Head cleaning may be done with a special cloth or special long swabs and/or a cleaning tape/cassette. This removes smudges and dirt on the recording head.
Cotton threads can snag the heads, so cotton balls and swabs should not be used.
Cleaning fluids
Fluids used for cleaning video heads include (but are not limited to) the following solvents:
Dry cleaners
Dry methods of cleaning include:
Other uses
Video head cleaners are also used as a dangerous recreational drug: see Poppers.